Peaky Blinders, a grim historical crime drama that had its BBC debut in 2013, and arrived on Netflix in the United States a year later, has become the talk of the television industry, garnering plaudits from both critics and viewers. If you haven’t yet watched Peaky Blinders, it begins in Birmingham in the 1920s and follows a ruthless group of Irish criminals who use any means necessary to further their own interests in the post-World War I landscape.
Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the leader of that terrifying organisation, has helped to create the Peaky Blinders one of Birmingham’s most feared and revered bands thanks to his sharp intellect, shrewd instincts, and merciless techniques. Peaky Blinders has received a lot of praise for its razor-sharp writing, electrifying performances, and frequently shocking violent flourishes. However, the programme has also gained notoriety for its adept usage of period attire. While the Peaky Blinders cast’s opulent suits and gorgeous gowns continue to command the majority of attention, it seems the close-cropped, mop-top haircuts the majority of the Peaky boys sport have also sparked serious discussion among fans, many of whom are curious as to whether those cuts are as period-specific as the attire.
One of its authors was recently asked that same topic, and after conducting in-depth research, that writer learned the closely cropped sides with longer hair on top (referred to as a “undercut” or “texturized crop”) was in fact a common haircut for working class men of the era. According to him, the Peaky Blinders haircut has been popular among young working-class males since the 20th century and is historically correct.
The Peaky Blinders cut is making a comeback
The article goes on to say that small criminals were mostly drawn to the “undercut,” which had its beginnings in Glasgow during the interwar period. The “undercut” makes a lot of sense for Shelby and his crew as they aren’t typically ones to walk away from a fight. The story further confirms that the style quickly caught on in England by citing historian Andrew Davies’ academic paper entitled Youth Gangs, Masculinity and Violence in Late Victorian Manchester and Salford: “Members of street gangs in England also favoured the undercut hairstyle because long hair put them at a disadvantage during a street fight.”
It turns out that Peaky Blinders has made the distinctive hairdo fairly fashionable among young men in the contemporary period. It’s crazy that people like the undercut thing; people go to the barber and ask for a “Peaky cut,” according to Cillian Murphy, who claimed as much in a 2017 interview with The Shortlist. The actor added that he hasn’t grown fond of the now-iconic hairstyle in four years, as he prefers to wear his hair long.
The feisty Murphy began by bragging about his own expertise with the “undercut” before mocking some of the fashion-forward individuals who have adopted the Peaky Blinders appearance for not being aware of the alternate history, which comically involves lice control. Tell ’em they’ve had the lice cut and see what they say. But do they realise, the folks in turtlenecks in Hackney with this haircut, that it was done this way to prevent lice?
Whatever the case, it is obvious that the “undercut” is a permanent trend. Peaky Blinders’ incredible popularity is comparable. The eagerly anticipated sixth season is presently being made.
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